The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 182 Arrival in the Black Forest, Crossing the Mist Swamp

A little over a month ago on the Floating Continent.

Lin Hai and Li Chao followed closely behind Shi Qingfeng, heading west from Lanting County until they finally arrived at a mysterious and ancient forest in the eastern region of Western Shu Kingdom—the Black Forest. This forest was covered by dense trees, making it appear gloomy and quiet.

After a long journey of several days, they finally arrived here. Just yesterday, their horses could no longer go on, forcing them to abandon their loyal companions. The rest of the journey would have to be completed on their own two feet.

Today, as night fell, they finally arrived at the Sleepless Clan altar that Ishikawa had mentioned before. This place was filled with an air of mystery, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.

“It’s getting dark, let’s set up camp here,” Shi Qingfei said, turning to Lin Hai and Li Chao. His voice was deep and firm, as if he were already used to this kind of environment.

Lin Hai and Li Chao exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement. They quickly began searching for a suitable campsite to set up their tents for the night. Although the atmosphere around them was somewhat eerie, they knew that only by remaining vigilant could they ensure their safety.

As night fell, the three sat around the campfire, the firelight flickering on their faces, reflecting a mixture of unease and anticipation. Lin Hai took out some dry rations from his pack and distributed them to Li Chao and Shi Qingfeng. They ate a little something and then took turns keeping watch.

Li Chao took the first watch, sitting on a large rock, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily. The forest night was far from peaceful; the occasional howl of wild beasts and the rustling of leaves kept everyone on their toes. He glanced at Shi Qingfeng and Lin Hai every now and then to make sure they could rest in peace.

When it was Shi Qingfeng's turn to keep watch, he decided to use the time to carefully observe the altar. He tiptoed to the altar, took out his tools, and began to meticulously examine each stone and carving. He discovered some strange symbols that seemed to tell the ancient legends of the Sleepless Tribe.

When Lin Hai awoke, it was already dawn. He saw Shi Qingfeng still intently studying the altar, while Li Chao sat cross-legged under a tree not far away, seemingly meditating. Lin Hai quietly approached Shi Qingfeng and whispered, "Did you find anything?"

Shi Qingfeng raised his head, a glint of excitement in his eyes: "I've seen these symbols in ancient books. They're used by the Sleepless Clan to record history and legends. If my interpretation is correct, this contains the secrets of the time tunnel and how to control it."

"So, those ancient legends are all true?" Lin Hai asked.

"It's hard to tell what's true and what's false, but we might find some confirmation when we get to Ghost Mountain. Let's go. According to the map given by the Sleepless Clan, the Misty Swamp is just west of here," Shi Qingfeng replied.

The group successfully reached the edge of the misty swamp before nightfall.

"Let's get some rest early tonight. We need to figure out how to get through the misty swamp tomorrow. It'll be a long way to go if we have to go around it," Shi Qingfeng said to Lin Hai and Li Chao.

A thick fog blanketed the edge of the misty swamp, obscuring visibility. The three decided to camp at the swamp's edge and wait for dawn to make further plans. The swamp was particularly eerie at night, with occasional cries of unknown creatures echoing from the fog, sending chills down their spines.

Li Chao set up some simple traps and alarm devices around the camp as a precaution. Lin Hai was organizing equipment by the fire, making sure everything was ready. Shi Qingfeng continued to study the symbols copied from the altar under the firelight, trying to decipher more secrets about the time tunnel.

"Lin Hai, I think it would be safer to keep the campfire further away from the swamp," Li Chao, who hadn't said much along the way, finally spoke.

Lin Hai nodded in agreement. He stood up and moved the fire a few steps back, making sure it was away from the edge of the swamp. The firelight seemed even warmer in the night, providing them with a sense of security.

"Li Chao, how effective are the traps you set?" Lin Hai asked as he organized his equipment.

“These traps, though simple, are enough to deter some small creatures. However, they might be ineffective against large, unknown creatures,” Li Chao replied, a hint of caution in his voice.

Shi Qingfeng didn't look up, still focused on studying the symbols, but his voice drifted on the night wind: "We cannot let our guard down. Many unknown dangers lurk in the misty swamp, and we must remain vigilant at all times."

The three sat around the fire in silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. Lin Hai gazed at the flickering flames, silently planning for tomorrow. Li Chao closed his eyes to rest and adjust his state of mind. Shi Qingfeng, meanwhile, silently memorized the shape and position of each symbol, hoping to make a breakthrough after dawn.

Night deepened, and the edge of the misty swamp grew even quieter, broken only by the occasional calls of creatures and the sound of the wind. The three men took turns keeping watch, ensuring the camp's safety. On nights like these, they became even more aware that unknown adventures were always accompanied by unpredictable dangers.

As the first rays of dawn pierced through the thick fog, the three of them packed up their campsite and prepared to continue their journey when they saw a figure flying out of the misty swamp in the distance.

This person was none other than Fang Xiaocong, the fifth member of the Sword Immortal Sect on An Island in the Southern Han Kingdom.

"Come on, I'll take you inside. There are already people waiting for you there," Fang Xiaocong said to the three of them.

"Isn't it forbidden to fly on a sword here? How can you do it?" Shi Qingfeng asked.

"Fellow Daoist Shi, you may not know this, but the colorless stone itself is a top-grade spirit stone. It's more than enough to provide the flying sword with the spiritual energy needed for low-altitude flight," Fang Xiaocong said to Shi Qingfeng, pointing to the five-colored stone embedded in the flying sword.

"So that's how it is. No wonder I dug up so many multicolored stones but didn't know how to use them." After saying that, Shi Qingfeng selected the stones and stepped onto his flying sword.

"Wait, these are aromatherapy pills. Put them in your mouths to effectively resist the poisonous fog in the misty swamp." Fang Xiaocong gave each of the three a white pill.

Lin Hai took the aromatherapy pill, examined it carefully, and then put it in his mouth without hesitation. The pill melted instantly in his mouth, and a cool sensation spread throughout his body, quickly invigorating him. He nodded to Fang Xiaocong to express his gratitude.

Li Chao and Shi Qingfeng followed suit, taking the incense pills. Once the three were ready, Fang Xiaocong signaled them to stand firm, then activated his flying sword, slowly ascending into the air. As the sword rose, the entire misty swamp gradually unfolded before their eyes. In the hazy gray mist, they could vaguely see aquatic plants and mudflats on the swamp's surface, as well as some strange creatures swimming within them.

"Hold on tight, we need to get through this fog," Fang Xiaocong reminded him.

As their flying swords accelerated, they passed through the thick fog, and a breathtaking view suddenly appeared before them. A secluded valley surrounded by mountains lay out before them.

The low mountain peak in the middle of the valley was their destination—Ghost Mountain.

However, what first caught their eye were large areas of makeshift wooden huts and large tents frequently used during marches.